Spain: More News, More Money

Spaniards who tuned in on news broadcasts last week got the surprise of a quarter-century. Since Francisco Franco installed himself as Spain's dictator in 1938, every newscast had unfailingly ended with a ponderous salute to his Falangist Party and a martial rendition of the Falangist anthem. Last week, for the first time, news bulletins ended instead with a pleasant feminine voice bidding señores y señoras good day, followed by a few bars of a catchy paso doble.

In slow-moving Spain, change of any kind is rare and reluctant. Yet, almost imperceptibly the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!